Health wouldn’t help Mitra this time. Here’s why

Though he has the support of his party and Supremo Mamata Banerjee, minister Madan Mitra has little hope of avoiding a spell behind bars or buying time on grounds of ill health, as Sankha Brata Bagchi, DIG, CBI, is himself a qualified doctor. Bagchi is an MBBS.

Though he has the support of his party and Supremo Mamata Banerjee, minister Madan Mitra has little hope of avoiding a spell behind bars or buying time on grounds of ill health, as Sankha Brata Bagchi, DIG, CBI, is himself a qualified doctor. Bagchi is an MBBS. According to officers of Bidhannagar City Police and senior SSKM doctors, who are aware of Mitra’s medical history and health problems, a reprieve on health grounds isn’t likely for the embattled minister anytime soon.

Bagchi, along with CBI joint director Rajiv Singh, is among the top CBI officers to be grilling Mitra at the agency’s Salt Lake office since his arrest on Friday. He was held in connection with the chit fund scam that is estimated at more than 10,000 crore.

Asked if the CBI got in touch with anyone in the medical team that was formed to monitor Mitra’s health during his vigil at SSKM, a doctor who was in the medical board, said, “The CBI team currently interrogating the minister comprises a registered doctor. He could even draw on his knowledge and expertise, should he (Mitra) fall ill. He could even seek advice from doctors in the nearby Bidhannagar State General Hospital, if needed. With him on board, the minister has little chance of getting away citing illness.”

With the CBI issuing summonses, Mitra checked into a private hospital in Alipore before getting himself admitted at SSKM, citing diabetes, ischemic heart disease, hypertension, sleep apnea, panic attack with depression and two non-malignant tumours on his back.

A medical board was formed to oversee his treatment. He was later discharged from the hospital on the advice of medical board.

“Mitra complained of feeling unwell after being arrested. Doctors from SSKM examined him after he said he wasn’t feeling well after being grilled for hours by CBI officers,” said a member of the medical board not wanting to be named.

An IPS officer of 1996 cadre, Bagchi secured an MBBS degree and did a business management course before joining police service. He was DIG, in charge of a commando training facility under (united) Andhra Pradesh police before joining CBI.

“He (Bagchi) sat for civic service exams after completing his MBBS course and became an IPS officer. Not satisfied with the job then, he did an MBA (course) from ISB (Indian School of Business). Though he was an MBBS and MBA, he didn’t fall for the lure of a cushy job in the corporate sector and took up the police job again,” an officer of Bidhannagar City Police said.